Join us in congratulating our girl, Gretchen Nevin on becoming an Unraveled Expert Artist!! Gretchen is photographer located in South Central Pennsylvania. She is a mother to 3 kids and a wife to Roo. Gretchen comes from a creative family and a fine art background. Her creative path started with drawing and painting then grew into photography as she grew her family. Growing up, her father was a photography hobbiest. She would accompany him on his walk about shoots as a way to do something creative together. Her grandmother was an interior designer. After having her second child, Gretchen decided it was time to learn how to use her camera. She hasn't stopped picking it up since. Gretchen’s unique perspective and use of light is something we greatly admire. She is never afraid to step outside the box and do something different.

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Here is Gretchen, Unraveled…

What inspires your art?

So many things. I love light and shadows. I love movement. My biggest love is faces and expression.

What do you shoot with? Camera body and favorite lens?

Nikon Z6II and I almost always use my Sigma Art 35mm 1.4

What other ways do you express your creativity?

I draw and paint often. For as long as I can remember, I have always been interested in learning new forms of creating. I enter many of my paintings for displays in local galleries in my town.

How do you de-stress at the end of the day?

Draw, paint, read. Once the kids are in bed, I like to turn on the tv and then mute it and talk to my husband about our days.

What kind of music do you listen to while editing?

This one kind of kills my soul. I grew up heavily intertwined in our local punk rock community. And as I've gotten older, I have found that music makes me anxious while I'm trying to do literally anything! So while editing, I usually listen to murder podcasts, mental health podcasts, or the sounds of my children.

What is your favorite book?

I don't have a favorite book, really. I read anything having to do with mental health, mental health disorders, human behavior, and emotion. I cannot get enough of it.

Name one movie that inspires you.

One big inspiration to me with photography is the movie Fur. It got terrible ratings but I love it anyway. Starring Nicole Kidman, it's fictionally based on the life of artist Diane Arbus.

How do you handle self-doubt or creative slumps?

When I'm feeling stuck, unoriginal, not into my work, I will arrange a creative shoot. This always resets me. Even if it's just 5 min with my daughter standing in some cool light. Or, trying to see things from a different angle. Also, shooting with other people always always brings me back up!

What has been the most difficult part of your creative journey?

There is a lot of solitude in art. Not having a co-worker to collaborate with has been difficult. Also, agreeing to do things I just don't want to do. That is the number one killer of my creativity. When I find myself just getting through a shoot or project, I know it was not meant for me.

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Straight up pepperoni. With hot sauce.

What is your most favorite kind of light and why?

I like a challenge. Currently, I'm working on creative use of my speedlight. Back-lit is always the prettiest to me but I don't really enjoy shooting that the most. Direct light is hard but comes out with cool results if you get it right!

Who is one of your favorite photographers?

Oh man, so many unraveled artists inspire me. Naomi Reed - every photo I have ever seen of hers is like a dance to me. Emily Hodge - I can't get over her tones and emotion. Anna Harris - the most artistic photos I have ever seen. Maggie Rechkemmer - Her ability to create connection. Mari Trancoso - her movement and making imperfection perfect. Sarah Driscoll - every single portrait leaves me feeling lighter. Deidre lynch - and not just because she is a personal friend... how she shows beauty in literally everything she photographs. And lastly Brittany Grubbs - Color. So much color!

What is your favorite course or lesson at Unraveled?

I love all of Ace's courses. I just love watching him interact with people and he makes me laugh so much. Every UA course has made me a better photographer. My favorite is anything live though. I loved Onward but being with the leaders and fellow UA photographers is such a learning experience. If you can do a retreat or any of the events, you will not regret it! I wish I could be at every single one of them.